Gangtok: November 21, 2011

The Horticulture and Cash Crop Development Department (HCCDD) started granting of scheme from Dzongu which was being sanctioned by the Chief Minister during his village to village tour earlier this month in North Sikkim.

A total of 100 beneficiaries from Hee-Gyathang GPU under Dzongu were awarded with the scheme for the construction of green house which was demanded by the people during the visit of CM in Dzongu.

‘We have started granting schemes in Dzongu which comes under Horticulture Department sanctioned by the Chief Minister during his visit’ said Vishal Chauhan, Secretary HCCDD in a function held on November 20, 2011 at Hee-Gyathang.

The Secretary informed that the allotment of the home construction from horticulture land for the resettlement of 14 families in Shipgyer which was also sanctioned by the Chief Minister is also in pipeline and assured that very soon the allotment letter will be handed over to the beneficiaries at Shipgyer.

Apart from it, a total of 385 beneficiaries of Dzongu were provided with the subsidy payments under area expansion of fruits for the 2nd and 3rd year under Horticulture Mission for NES and Himalayan state. Among them, Achup Lepcha of Tingvong Linku, Upper Dzongu was the highest recipient of cash component of Rs. 2, 46,760 who have been able to produce orange plants from his nursery.

Likewise, others were also provided the cash components accordingly with their production as the department had based on the target of Rs. 300/- for the farmers who have been able to produce 400 orange saplings from their nursery. The cash components has been handed over by Minister for Horticulture cum Health Department, DN Thakarpa in a function of awareness cum subsidy payments organized by the Horticulture Department, (North District), Government of Sikkim, who had attended the function as a chief guest accompanied by the area MLA cum Minister for Power Department, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha as a special guest.

While highlighting the details on the fruits selection, Additional Director, Phurba Tshering Bhutia informed about the orange orchard and encouraged the farmers for orange cultivation. He further informed that the orange plant can survive up to 60 to 80 years and also informed about the use of organic manure. He also threw light about the different training and exposure tour for the farmers.

Similarly, Principal Director, DK Rai highlighted about the various schemes under the Horticulture Department and said ‘we in Sikkim depend on the agriculture where 11% land is cultivable which covers the area of around 90 thousand hectares’. He stressed the people on more production from small land holdings and also encouraged the farmers on off seasonal vegetables which can make a good source of income for the people. He further informed about the large cardamom, ginger and National Bamboo Mission and Medicinal plants and about subsidy grants from the department.

While highlighting the feedback, the Panchayat Secretary Hee-Gyathang GPU, Samroo Ugen Lepcha demanded for the training for the farmers to be provided in North Sikkim itself. He also appealed the department for providing the scheme of Bamboo plantation as the bamboo in Dzongu is declining day to day and the construction of VLW quarter in the GPU.

The area MLA and Power Minister, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha informed that the people are not been able to utilized the schemes provided by the government and also encouraged the people for the orange cultivation. The minister further informed that the Dzongu oranges especially from Lum village has been one of the most sweetest and delicious which was being researched by the Department in Kolkata. Minister also said that we must progress our farming with new method of farming technology.

While addressing the gathering chief guest, Minister DN Thakarpa informed that the people should choose cultivation as a profession where the government has provided more opportunity. The function was also attended by Deputy Director North, SR Bhutia, Panchayat Secretary, Tshering Gyatso, Lum, Gor, Sangtok GPU, Choden Lepcha, Chairman Milk Union, Zilla and Panchayat members, Horticulture officials, progressive farmers including general public.

Earlier, the Minister also visited the Horticulture farm at Gnon-Sangdong Lower Dzongu where he visited the tissue culture nursery and other cultivation.

Sikkim Mail

 

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